Mariners for Action-MFA

30/06/2026

Healthy oceans require strong partnerships, informed decision-making, and sustained investment in people, science, and innovation.

From 16–18 June, Mariners for Action (MFA) team participated in the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, joining more than 4000 delegates from governments, research institutions, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and coastal communities to shape the future of global ocean action.

The conference served as a valuable platform for dialogue on marine biodiversity conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, blue economy innovation, marine spatial planning, ocean financing, and emerging technologies that are transforming marine monitoring and resource management. Discussions also addressed pressing challenges, including marine pollution, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, bottom trawling, habitat degradation, climate change, and the growing need for integrated, ecosystem-based approaches to ocean governance.

Throughout the conference, participants shared successful experiences from different regions, demonstrating how collaboration between governments, scientists, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector is strengthening marine protected areas, restoring coastal ecosystems, improving fisheries governance, and advancing sustainable ocean economies.

For MFA, the conference provided an important opportunity to strengthen relationships with conservation organisations, academic institutions, development agencies, and regional networks working to improve the health and resilience of marine ecosystems.

We also leveraged the conference to strengthen the East & Southern Africa Ocean Resilience Alliance(ESA-ORA) by engaging consortium members, introducing the alliance to prospective partners, and expanding opportunities for regional collaboration.

The knowledge, partnerships, and opportunities gained during the conference continue to strengthen MFA's commitment to delivering evidence-based conservation initiatives that restore marine ecosystems, promote sustainable fisheries, enhance coastal resilience, and support thriving blue economies.

https://www.esaora.org/
https://www.marinersfa.org/

As we move forward, we look forward to translating these engagements into impactful partnerships and practical solutions that create lasting benefits for both people and the ocean.

19/06/2026

17/06/2026

11/06/2026

We were privileged to be represented at the global convening of 100 youth leaders under the UNESCO– NestléGlobal Youth Grant Scheme, held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France marking the culmination of a six-month project implementation phase.

The closing event brought together youth leaders from across the world for high-level learning and exchange sessions focused on building strong brands, strengthening mindset and leadership, and refining pitch development through structured preparation, practice, and presentations. Participants also engaged in collaborative group work centred on innovative solutions to contemporary global challenges.

MFA was represented by the Executive Director Nicholas Okeyo, who engaged with peers from diverse regions, shared the organization’s work, and gained valuable insights from a wide range of climate action and environmental sustainability initiatives led by youth innovators globally.

We remain strongly committed to advancing community-driven impact, particularly in developing practical and locally grounded solutions to environmental challenges within coastal and marine ecosystems and scaling our ongoing work, building on lessons learned and partnerships formed during the program.

Additionally, the convening provided meaningful networking opportunities and a platform for knowledge exchange, enabling participants to share projects, explore ideas, and draw inspiration from the work of other youth-led initiatives worldwide.

We welcome continued collaboration with like-minded partners, organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen and scale impactful solutions for sustainable environmental and community transformation.

Gratitude is extended to UNESCO and Nestlé for facilitating this important global platform, as well as to mentor Jagdeep Marahar and the regional capacity-building team, FAIECY-SL, for their consistent support throughout the project implementation journey.

10/06/2026

04/06/2026

We will be attending the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa from 16th to 18th June.

We look forward to connecting with conservation organizations, researchers, youth leaders, innovators, community practitioners, and the broader ocean community to exchange ideas and advance collaborative action for a healthier, more resilient ocean.

As a youth-led organization working across marine conservation, sustainable fisheries management, coastal ecosystem restoration, and blue economy innovation, we are committed to contributing to practical solutions that strengthen ecosystem resilience, support sustainable livelihoods, and safeguard biodiversity in coastal and marine systems.

Representing Mariners for Action (MFA) at the conference will be our Chief Executive Officer, Linus Owino; Programs Manager, Symon Ikham; Executive Director, Nicholas Okeyo; Technical Advisor, Said Mohamed; and Technology and Innovation Lead, Emanuel Soita courtesy of Blue Ventures through the Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition .

If you will be attending the , we would be delighted to connect, share experiences, and explore opportunities for collaboration in advancing ocean conservation and sustainable development.

See you in Mombasa!

27/05/2026

On behalf of Mariners for Action, we extend warm wishes to all who are celebrating Eid al-Adha today. As we reflect during this sacred time, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting our oceans and uplifting coastal communities. May this day bring peace, gratitude, and hope for a better future.

19/05/2026

We hosted a Cross Stakeholder Workshop on 9th May 2026 at the IOMe Innovation Centre Mombasa, bringing together representatives from BMUs, community-based organizations, women and youth groups, and partners across Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties.

Partner organizations included Junior Chamber International, focusing on youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and networking; Averis Systems, offering digital savings solutions, financing pathways for smallholder farmers, and smart environmental monitoring tools; WAVU, supporting fish farmers through access to inputs and financing; BMG for Charity, working on plastic pollution mitigation and sustainable livelihoods in Kilifi; Sote Hub, a regional innovation hub; ACEF - Africa Climate and Environment Foundation , advancing climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and pollution response across 14 African countries; United Pathways Organisations focusing in sustainability and Public health and East & Southern Africa Ocean Resilience Alliance(ESA-ORA) African Ocean Resilience Alliance (ESAORA), focusing on ocean resilience and sustainable coastal development across the region, alongside key government agencies including Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Kenya Maritime Authority.

Discussions focused on pressing coastal challenges and integrated partner offerings into the dialogue, including youth leadership and entrepreneurship development, digital finance and savings innovations, aquaculture and fisheries value chain support, plastic waste management solutions, innovation and enterprise incubation, climate resilience programming, and regional ocean conservation approaches.

Key concerns raised included the continued use of unsustainable bottom trawling, which is significantly impacting small-scale fisher livelihoods and marine ecosystems. Participants also emphasized the need to diversify livelihoods through practical and locally adaptable models in aquaculture and ecotourism, with seaweed farming highlighted as a strong opportunity for women and youth due to its income-generating and environmental benefits.
Grassroots stakeholders further raised concerns over limited access to climate finance and the lengthy, costly bureaucratic processes required for licensing and approvals, which continue to slow down community-led initiatives along the coast.

We were also humbled by the positive feedback on our work and the strong interest in deeper collaboration from partners and community stakeholders. Collectively, we committed to strengthening partnerships in advancing climate action, environmental conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and community empowerment across the coastal region.

https://marinersfa.org/community-feedback-and-strategy-workshop/

22/04/2026

Fish remains one of the most important and accessible sources of protein globally, contributing around 20–23% of animal protein intake in Sub-Saharan Africa and supporting millions of livelihoods. In East and Southern Africa, however, production is not keeping pace with rising demand driven by population growth, urbanization, and changing diets. Average fish consumption in many countries remains low at about 5–10 kg per capita per year, compared to the global average of over 20 kg.

This gap presents a clear opportunity. While capture fisheries remain essential, many small-scale fishers are increasingly limited to nearshore and inland waters, placing growing pressure on already overexploited fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems.

Aquaculture offers a scalable and sustainable solution. Although Africa currently contributes only about 2% of global aquaculture production, the sector has grown rapidly in recent decades. With structured production systems and strong market linkages, fish farming can ease pressure on wild fisheries, support ecosystem recovery, and create jobs across the value chain.

However, growth is still constrained by limited technical capacity, access to quality seed and feed, financing gaps, and weak market integration.

Working with key stakeholders across East and Southern Africa through the newly constituted consortium, East & Southern Africa Ocean Resilience Alliance(ESA-ORA), we are co-creating a framework to strengthen small-scale fishers’ capacity in sustainable aquaculture, enabling a shift toward resilient, market-driven fish production systems that improve livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability.

https://www.esaora.org/

16/04/2026